2beskinny

I was banded in July, 2010. I lost 70 pounds and felt great, even though I was still 20 pounds shy of my goal. I don't know what's happened. I've lost all motivation and feel like I have failed again...it was my biggest fear and it has come true. I think it's why I never wanted to tell anyone about being banded - the fear of failure and judgment. I guess I called THAT right. I want to get back on track but don't even know where to start. I'm embarrassed to go back to the doctor. I had gained about 15 pounds about a year ago and realized I was not in the right mindset and just quit going. Then I gained another 25. I know my band needs adjusting, I'm just not sure which way. When I first started gaining weight, I was pretty tight and thought I was gaining because I could really only eat slider foods. My doc agreed, so he took out .2 which scared me to death. It was a great feeling to be able to eat again (I can eat most anything now) but I still can get myself stuck sometimes. I'm not sure if the band is adjusted right (it needs to be this loose for me to be able to eat protein) but I got used to making bad choices again and can't seem to get off the roller coaster. I also ran a half marathon the year I was banded and lost 70 pounds. Now I'm lucky if I walk a couple of times a week. I know this has to change. Looking for help from anyone who has had a similar experience, or just words of wisdom that I really need to hear. I'm so frustrated because I thought I was done with all this after deciding to have this surgery. I just can't believe I'm here again at this point.

Just wondering if anyone knows if PBs contain stomach acid. When my band is this tight and I am not SUPER careful, I frequently get stuck. If it's bad enough, it comes back up (and out) and of course there is instant relief. This happens to me quite frequently. I didn't think PBs contained stomach acid so it was not the same as full blown throw up. After my trip to the dentist yesterday, now I am not so sure. I had quite a lot of cavities which is unusual for me. Does anyone know for sure the deal with PBs?

You've lost 154 POUNDS!!!! This isn't your first rodeo...you know what to do You probably gained about 3 - 4 pounds total and the rest is water weight....drink TONS of water, cut the carbs and you'll have it gone in no time. You are an inspiration!!!

Congrats, Molly! You look fantastic You were one of my first contacts on this site as we were banded around the same time. Soooo happy for you! I am doing well and have no complaints on my journey either. I am 20 pounds to goal but I admit I have become "comfortable" where I am. I am a solid size 12, have rid my closets of all my fat clothes and really like my wardrobe right now! I know I will drop another size or 2 when I am at goal and, honestly, I just have to at least wait until the seasons change again I ran a 1/2 marathon last May and am currently training for another one in October. I almost literally don't go a day without someone telling me how great I look. I have even gotten random shout outs while sitting at a traffic light in my car or walking down the street in the downtown area. It's almost embarassing...haha, almost This has been amazing and the best decision I've every made. My husband and family are very happy for me and extremely supportive. It's beyond words!

I went to AZ last Feb and had a slight unfill. Was glad I did it! When I got back, they put it right back in and everything was fine. I have heard that your sweet spot may not stay, but my experience is that it changes anyway as you lose weight This band is in need of constant tweaking as far as I'm concerned! I would say get an unfil, be more relaxed about it, and put it back in when you get back. I will say this: when you are close to being too tight, you feel every little bit of swelling...I do think flying makes a difference that you are likely to feel if you are already getting full on just a few bites!

I am not a counter or a journaler these days. I was in the beginning but as someone else said, ut felt too much lil a diet, not a lifestyle. Im happy with my results but everyone has to do what works for them. I also exercise quite a bit!

You have not stretched your pouch, you are in bandster hell...something most of us have experienced. You don't have restriction yet, therefore it's pretty easy for a large volume of food to pass on through to your lower "big" stomach. This is the point of your journey where you do, unfortunately, have to use plain old willpower to keep losing. Some weeks I considered it a victory if I just maintained! The food is probably not even staying in your pouch, just passing through so I don't think you could have stretched it. Also, greasy food is kind of a "slider" food so a burger and fries would probably go down pretty easy! I exerienced that prior to restriction. However, now the bread kills me. I can eat most potatoes, but not fries. I eat 3-4 of them and feel them just sitting there and I know I'll be in trouble if I continue. Now I don't even eat one. You will get there and you will be loving life! I am practically embarassed by the constant comments of how good I look. I bought a couple of size 10 pants this week It will be worth it...it just takes time. Stay POSITIVE!

It's what we do AFTER we slip up that determines our success! It will be the first of many slip ups on your journey...just jump back on the wagon and you'll be fine!

Interesting in the allergy thing! My allergies are worse than they have ever been and I keep getting stuck!

Just for a little comparison - when I get fills now I usually only get a .1 or a .2. My PA gave me some very good advice - it's better to approach the sweet spot carefully versus overshooting and then having to go backwards. I know you and I were July '10 bandsters so we are at very similar places in our journey I hope the fill turns out all right...it really sounds like if you got .2 or .3 removed it will be just right. You will go crazy and resort to eating all slider foods if you are too tight. I've been there It's very important to be able to eat meat! Good luck!!!

I had my surgery in July, 2010 and have experienced the same roller coaster of emotions, feelings, optimisim, depression, elation, regret and joy that others talk about. The biggest adjustment for me was saying goodbye to the overstuffed full feeling that accompanies overeating. I was surprised how I really missed that. I don't miss it anymore. The 2nd biggest adjustment for me has been learning to slow down my eating and take smaller bites. I'm good at that about 80% of the time and then I get rushed, or think I can eat something in the car on the way to one of my kid's games, etc. and then I just laugh at myself when the stuck feeling starts. I have however learned to recognize the onset and can usually avoid any really unpleasant outcomes I can't believe I'm 20 something pounds to goal. I will be the weight I was when I got married soon, and I've been married to the same wonderful man (who does NOT have a weight problem) for 23 years. I just wanted to post something positive about lap band...it's a helluva ride, but it has been so worth it. I am able to run again (I don't set any land speed records, that's for sure!) and I'll be completing my 2nd half marathon next week. I have one more long run (10 miles) until the race. I can't believe this is me I'm talking about. All you new bandsters, please hang in there! The best advice I can give you is to STAY POSITIVE and FORGIVE YOURSELF if you slip. This is not an All or Nothing process...it's a lot of learning about, adjusting to and finally, ACCEPTING your new lifestyle! I go out with friends, cook for myself and my family, enjoy wine (after a 4 month hiatus from alcohol) and enjoy life on a level that I have not been on in a long time. I'm usually not the fattest girl in the room anymore. I think I look pretty cute in my size 12 jeans for a 47 year old mom of 3 teens People comment on my weight loss all the time. I still have a bit of an internal struggle with not be open about my surgery, but I know it's the right decision for me. No one knows except my husband, sister and parents, all who I am extremely close with and respect my decision. I don't think I've ever drawn any attention from others who don't know...it's been surprisingly easy to keep this private. Whether I'm just reading or posting, this site has been a huge motivator for me. I encourage everyone to stay active with it. If I take a break from it and return, I always notice a boost in my determination. I'm looking forward to summer clothes and dare I say wearing a bathing suit (what ?!?). The hardest thing about this at the moment is refraining from buying too many clothes! I know I'm not "there" yet and I have to be patient and show restraint when I'm shopping. It's a good problem to have and one that I hope all get to experience soon. I wish you all the best with your pending metamorphasis!

Dear LapNYC...congrats! You did it and the worst is behind you now :-) you are a real iinspiration! All that weightloss and now a new tummy! Im sure you will be ready to get back to working out. I know exercise is a routine part of your life now with all your success. Just curious. .now that u r at maintenance, did u get any fill removed? Hope you continue to progress well with your recovery!

That is awesome nicole! I love all the new confidence 2 1 of the best things about this whole process is that I am confident I will not gain it back. I finally feel like I've done something that is permanent will work forever as long as I keep working it!

Best of luck to you! Congrats on all your success! I think it would be a hard surgery to decide to have for many reasons, but once you've decided...it will be great! I think the surgery itself is always scary, but I'm sure you are in good hands. For myself, I wonder about the scarring you are left with. I guess I feel like I won't be showing my belly to anyone but my hubs at this point, and would a flatter stomach with the scar be any better thank what I have now? I think if I were inclined to wear a two piece it would be a no brainer. At my age - it's just not that important to me I'm all for it though if people want it. You have undergone a huge change and if you want it to be the BEST it can be..than you are doing what you have to do...I think you are brave and are going after what you want. Post back and let us know how everything is going.

You make some valid points, but for me the band is all about restriction. Its fundamental in all education, literature and support groups that I have received, read and attended :-) Yes there is a "hole" that food passes through and the band is tightened to decrease the size of the stoma. When the stoma is adjusted properly, food is held in the upper pouch longer and the new full feeling is there. I know it can work differently for some...sometimes just having the band placed is enough for some and no fills are ever necessary. I feel like im a pretty text book case. It absolutely limits how much food I can eat! Well, maybe not ice cream :-) My main point is to stay as positive as you can throughout this journey and give the band and yourself enough time to figure out how to work together to lose weight.

Shelley - 22 pounds in 3 months is great! I also started at a 40bmi. Just keep working the plan and it will come off. About how many calories are you eating per day? I think keeping your body guessing is a good idea so I frequently vary my calories per day. Seems to work for me and it feels more like real life instead of a diet. It took me a long time before I learned and accepted the new feeling of satisfied. I can tell you that the proper level of restriction is crucial though. It took me about 6-7 adjustments to get there. It is also something I will always pay attention to because it can change and then another adjustment might be necessary. While I wad I search of my sweet spot, I considered maintaining my weight a success! If I had a small loss...even better! Congrats to you for getting banded and working the plan. You will do great!

Amy u rock! Exercise is such a rush now for me too! I still have to psyche myself up before hand, but there is no feeling like u get when you finish a long run or challenging class/workout. Im looking forward to changing my routine once the marathon is over. I would like to focus on weights and building more muscle :-) but don't want to lose the ability to do a 5 mile run. I understand that whatever it is, exercise will always be a part of my life!

Liqiuids were the worst! Just focus in the pride u will have in yourself when u get through it. Its like having toddlers...haha...you don't think it will ever end and then on day they are handsome, funny teenagers and you are so proud!

Dlynn...congrats to you and all your success! Loved your post :-) don't u just feel like you have to pinch yourself sometimes? I totally get it about the cravings, too. Sometimes it is still a bummer that I can't eat inhale something yummy like a burger and fries. It thankfully doesn't last long

Congrats to you on your surgery and courage to tell. It's a big step and I know you are pleased with their reactions. Glad to hear your doing well after your surgery. Stay positive and keep reading these boards...I still find them very motivating and somehow I am more accountable when I'm active on the board Best of luck to you...you'll be skinny before you know it!

I had a small unfill of .2 before a long flight. I had it put right back in when I got home. Some folks evidently think it's false that flying affects the band. I think it depends on how close you are to your sweet spot. I flew to Denver (ski trip!) and noticed the tightening from the plane ride and the altitude...between that and all the skiing, I lost 4 pounds I was thankful for the unfill...I would hate to end up in trouble without my doc (who I love) around. I have flown before and not noticed much of a difference, but I am at my sweet spot now...so I think I feel any change in the band due to stress, flying or TOM. Good luck!

By the way, I should add that when I "unfilled" for a vacation (due to long flight) I lost 4 pounds that week Of course it was a ski-vacation so lots of cardio every day!!!

It took a lot of adjustments (6-7) and patience to reach the point where the band was really working with me. I attribute a lot of my success to exercise. I think I am in possible need of a small fill. Yesterday, for instance, I was able to eat about two cups of pasta at lunch and then had an EXTREMELY decadent piece if birthday cake at the office. I was in carb overload! My response? Came home from work, ran 5 miles and had a low carb slimfast for dinner. Dropped a pound today! I have let way more carbs into my diet lately. Im handling them "ok" with all my running, but I have noticed a huge difference in the flare up of the old sweet tooth. Eating more carbs just makes you want to eat more carbs! Back to the drawing board for me. A week of low carb eating usually is enough to put the cravings at bay and get back on the losing cycle. Low carb is the key!

I fly alot and always notice a slight tightening ...my surgeon's office (one of top bariatric surgeon in country) certainly recognizes it as a valid response. It may not be the case for every person, just like the whole issue of TOM and stress influencing changes (tightening) to the band. No two people are alike and everyone has their own preference as to how they filled they are. I didn't notice a difference with flying, stress, TOM untill I hit my sweet spot which by the way took 6-7 adjustments and at least 5 months after surgery.

Actually, my doctor recommends a small unfill prior to a long flight. I flew across country and had .2 removed. Didn't have any issues on the flight or while staying at relatives. I must admit that I noticed I was able to eat a bit more, but it wasn't tooo much more. It was very helpful to me as I am a closet bandster and didn't want to seem like I was eating "weird" in front of my family. When I came back, he put the .2 right back in. Didn't gain (I kept up my running) and was happy the way it all worked out. One of the reasons I chose the band was for the flexibility of it. I would never opt for a complete unfill of course, but I do believe there are times in life when you need a little "backed off." My surgeon's fee includes all fills/unfill for first 24 months, so cost was not an issue either.